NEWA/AGDdC, Flintshire/Sir y Fflint
Caerwys, South Street, c.1910
(Ref: PH/13/32).
SHOCKING MURDER OF AN OLD HUSBAND BY A YOUNG WIFE AT CAERWYS, 1842
In the Staffordshire Advertiser, 6th August 1842:
“FLINTSHIRE ASSIZES - MURDER AT CAERWYS
Hannah Roberts, aged 19, was indicted for the murder of her husband, Robert Roberts, an old man [aged 75 years], at Caerwys, by administering to him a quantity of white arsenic. The prisoner was convicted. The evidence against her, proving the facts, was the same as stated shortly after the perpetration of the crime. The Jury recommended the criminal to mercy, but, in passing sentence, Mr Baron Gurney said he did not well understand upon what grounds. He said “you stand convicted of the crime of murder – that murder committed by means of poison – the person murdered, your own husband. You stand there a melancholy example of the fatal consequences of the first lapse from virtue; for when a young woman once yields to temptation, she little knows in what it may result. If your story be true, you had formed an illicit connection with another man, and you say that when your husband died, he had promised to marry you. By your own confession, at his instigation, you thought to hasten the completion of your wishes. It is absolutely impossible to frame a doubt of your guilt.” The learned Judge, in the usual way, then passed sentence on the unfortunate culprit.
Mr Townsend then applied for a postponement of the execution, on the ground of the convict’s pregnancy.
A jury of matrons was immediately sworn to examine the prisoner, and enquire as to her pregnancy. They retired out of court for a short time, and after having the assistance of a medical gentleman, they returned with a verdict, that Hannah Roberts was quick with child.
The execution was of course ordered to be deferred until after the prisoner’s delivery.”
According to the Chester Chronicle of 16th December 1842, Hannah was “safely delivered of a fine healthy male child….with which the mother is doing well.” Her sentence was commuted to transportation for life, and she avoided execution.
Read the full story at Flintshire Record Office - Historic newspapers have now been digitised and are available to view on Find My Past. To find out more fascinating facts about Flintshire, visit Flintshire Record Office (appointments needed) and look at the collection for free!
LLOFRUDDIAEITH Y “GŴR HEN” GAN WRAIG IFANC, CAERWYS, 1842
Yn y papur newydd ‘Staffordshire Advertiser’, 6ed Awst 1842:
“FLINTSHIRE ASSIZES - MURDER AT CAERWYS
Hannah Roberts, aged 19, was indicted for the murder of her husband, Robert Roberts, an old man [aged 75 years], at Caerwys, by administering to him a quantity of white arsenic. The prisoner was convicted. The evidence against her, proving the facts, was the same as stated shortly after the perpetration of the crime. The Jury recommended the criminal to mercy, but, in passing sentence, Mr Baron Gurney said he did not well understand upon what grounds. He said “you stand convicted of the crime of murder – that murder committed by means of poison – the person murdered, your own husband. You stand there a melancholy example of the fatal consequences of the first lapse from virtue; for when a young woman once yields to temptation, she little knows in what it may result. If your story be true, you had formed an illicit connection with another man, and you say that when your husband died, he had promised to marry you. By your own confession, at his instigation, you thought to hasten the completion of your wishes. It is absolutely impossible to frame a doubt of your guilt.” The learned Judge, in the usual way, then passed sentence on the unfortunate culprit.
Mr Townsend then applied for a postponement of the execution, on the ground of the convict’s pregnancy.
A jury of matrons was immediately sworn to examine the prisoner, and enquire as to her pregnancy. They retired out of court for a short time, and after having the assistance of a medical gentleman, they returned with a verdict, that Hannah Roberts was quick with child.
The execution was of course ordered to be deferred until after the prisoner’s delivery.”
Yn y papur newydd 'Chester Chronicle', 16 Rhagfyr 1842, roedd Hannah yn “safely delivered of a fine healthy male child….with which the mother is doing well.” Dedfrydwyd hi i drafnidiaeth ar gyfer bywyd, roedd hi'n osgoi cosb marwolaeth.
Darllenwch y stori llawn yn Archifdy Sir y Fflint - mae papurau newydd hanesyddol bellach wedi eu digido ac maent ar gael i'w gweld ar Find My Past. I gael gwybod mwy o ffeithiau difyr am Sir y Fflint, ewch i Archifdy Sir y Fflint (mae angen gwneud apwyntiadau) ac edrychwch ar y casgliad am ddim!
Caerwys, South Street, c.1910
(Ref: PH/13/32).
SHOCKING MURDER OF AN OLD HUSBAND BY A YOUNG WIFE AT CAERWYS, 1842
In the Staffordshire Advertiser, 6th August 1842:
“FLINTSHIRE ASSIZES - MURDER AT CAERWYS
Hannah Roberts, aged 19, was indicted for the murder of her husband, Robert Roberts, an old man [aged 75 years], at Caerwys, by administering to him a quantity of white arsenic. The prisoner was convicted. The evidence against her, proving the facts, was the same as stated shortly after the perpetration of the crime. The Jury recommended the criminal to mercy, but, in passing sentence, Mr Baron Gurney said he did not well understand upon what grounds. He said “you stand convicted of the crime of murder – that murder committed by means of poison – the person murdered, your own husband. You stand there a melancholy example of the fatal consequences of the first lapse from virtue; for when a young woman once yields to temptation, she little knows in what it may result. If your story be true, you had formed an illicit connection with another man, and you say that when your husband died, he had promised to marry you. By your own confession, at his instigation, you thought to hasten the completion of your wishes. It is absolutely impossible to frame a doubt of your guilt.” The learned Judge, in the usual way, then passed sentence on the unfortunate culprit.
Mr Townsend then applied for a postponement of the execution, on the ground of the convict’s pregnancy.
A jury of matrons was immediately sworn to examine the prisoner, and enquire as to her pregnancy. They retired out of court for a short time, and after having the assistance of a medical gentleman, they returned with a verdict, that Hannah Roberts was quick with child.
The execution was of course ordered to be deferred until after the prisoner’s delivery.”
According to the Chester Chronicle of 16th December 1842, Hannah was “safely delivered of a fine healthy male child….with which the mother is doing well.” Her sentence was commuted to transportation for life, and she avoided execution.
Read the full story at Flintshire Record Office - Historic newspapers have now been digitised and are available to view on Find My Past. To find out more fascinating facts about Flintshire, visit Flintshire Record Office (appointments needed) and look at the collection for free!
LLOFRUDDIAEITH Y “GŴR HEN” GAN WRAIG IFANC, CAERWYS, 1842
Yn y papur newydd ‘Staffordshire Advertiser’, 6ed Awst 1842:
“FLINTSHIRE ASSIZES - MURDER AT CAERWYS
Hannah Roberts, aged 19, was indicted for the murder of her husband, Robert Roberts, an old man [aged 75 years], at Caerwys, by administering to him a quantity of white arsenic. The prisoner was convicted. The evidence against her, proving the facts, was the same as stated shortly after the perpetration of the crime. The Jury recommended the criminal to mercy, but, in passing sentence, Mr Baron Gurney said he did not well understand upon what grounds. He said “you stand convicted of the crime of murder – that murder committed by means of poison – the person murdered, your own husband. You stand there a melancholy example of the fatal consequences of the first lapse from virtue; for when a young woman once yields to temptation, she little knows in what it may result. If your story be true, you had formed an illicit connection with another man, and you say that when your husband died, he had promised to marry you. By your own confession, at his instigation, you thought to hasten the completion of your wishes. It is absolutely impossible to frame a doubt of your guilt.” The learned Judge, in the usual way, then passed sentence on the unfortunate culprit.
Mr Townsend then applied for a postponement of the execution, on the ground of the convict’s pregnancy.
A jury of matrons was immediately sworn to examine the prisoner, and enquire as to her pregnancy. They retired out of court for a short time, and after having the assistance of a medical gentleman, they returned with a verdict, that Hannah Roberts was quick with child.
The execution was of course ordered to be deferred until after the prisoner’s delivery.”
Yn y papur newydd 'Chester Chronicle', 16 Rhagfyr 1842, roedd Hannah yn “safely delivered of a fine healthy male child….with which the mother is doing well.” Dedfrydwyd hi i drafnidiaeth ar gyfer bywyd, roedd hi'n osgoi cosb marwolaeth.
Darllenwch y stori llawn yn Archifdy Sir y Fflint - mae papurau newydd hanesyddol bellach wedi eu digido ac maent ar gael i'w gweld ar Find My Past. I gael gwybod mwy o ffeithiau difyr am Sir y Fflint, ewch i Archifdy Sir y Fflint (mae angen gwneud apwyntiadau) ac edrychwch ar y casgliad am ddim!